Site Map

• Home
• Firm Overview
• Practice Areas
  • Family Law
    • Adoption
      • Adoption Law
      • Termination of Parental Rights
      • Relative Adoptions
      • The Adoption Process
      • Same Sex Adoption
      • Birth Parent Representation and Unplanned Pregnancy
    • Divorce
      • Five Important Divorce Tips
      • The Divorce Process
      • Contested Divorce
      • Uncontested Divorce
      • High Net-Worth Divorce
    • Divorce FAQ's
    • Child Custody
    • Child Support
    • Domestic Violence
      • Restraining Orders
    • Fathers' Rights
    • Grandparents' Rights
    • Legal Separation
    • Mediation
    • Military Divorce
    • Mothers' Rights
    • Parental Alienation
    • Paternity
    • Pre-Nuptial Agreements
    • Prepare an Affidavit
    • Property Division
    • Relocation
    • Same-sex Marriages
    • Spousal Support/Alimony
    • Support & Custody Modifications
    • Visitation
    • Dedication in Representation
  • Criminal Defense
    • For College Students
      • Minor in Possession of Alcohol
      • Possession of Fake ID
      • Alcohol Education Program
    • DUI
      • Breath & Blood Tests
      • BUI
      • Felony DUI
      • License Suspension
    • Drug Crimes
      • Marijuana
      • Possession
      • Trafficking
    • Internet Crimes
    • Federal Crimes
    • Juvenile Crimes
    • Pre-Trial Intervention
    • Probation & Parole Violations
    • Sex Crimes
      • Child Pornography
      • Rape / Criminal Sexual Conduct
      • Indecent Exposure
    • Theft Crimes
      • Robbery
      • Shoplifting
    • Violent Crimes
      • Assault & Battery
      • Domestic Violence
      • Murder/Manslaughter
    • White Collar Crimes
      • Fraud
  • Personal Injury
    • Bicycle Accidents
    • Car Accidents
      • What to do After an Accident
      • Drunk Driving Accidents
      • Distracted Driving
      • Rideshare Accident
    • Catastrophic Injuries
    • Intentional Torts & Injuries
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Premises Liability
    • Dog Bites
    • Spinal Cord Injuries
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
    • Trucking Accidents
    • Wrongful Death
  • Workers’ Compensation
    • Workers’ Compensation Appeals
    • Workers' Compensation Benefits
• Reviews
• Helpful Links
  • South Carolina Child Support Calculator
  • Make a Payment
  • Lexington SC Divorce Attorney
  • Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Blog
  • 2023
    • October
      • How Do Shoplifters Get Caught?
      • How to Make Your Adopted Child Feel Welcome: 7 Essential Tips
    • September
      • Workers’ Compensation: Jobs That Are Hard on Your Back
      • Why Doesn’t Marriage Annulment Include Spousal Support?
    • August
      • Exploring the Different Types of Injuries Resulting from Slip-and-Fall Accidents
      • Seeking Compensation for Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident
    • July
      • Defenses Against Identity Theft Allegations
      • Proving That Your Spouse Is Guilty of Wasteful Dissipation
    • June
      • How Does Alimony Work in South Carolina?
      • 5 Common Myths About Child Support
    • May
      • Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
      • What Makes an Injury Catastrophic?
    • April
      • Common Defenses Against Shoplifting Allegations
      • Can I Lose My Dog in a Divorce?
    • March
      • Criminal Accusations That College Students Often Face
    • February
      • What Are the Different Types of Personal Injury Cases?
      • How Do I File a Personal Injury Insurance Claim?
    • January
      • Age of Consent: What Happens When Partners are Close in Age?
      • South Carolina’s Punishments for Missing Child Support Payments
  • 2022
    • December
      • Legal Drugs and DUIs: What You Need to Know
      • 4 Common Reasons for Medical Malpractice
    • November
      • Missed Support Payments and Wage Garnishment
      • How Could Your Job Schedule Affect a Child Custody Ruling?
    • October
      • What Are My Rights as a Father?
      • Should I Get a Divorce or an Annulment?
    • September
      • Can I File a Lawsuit for a Dog Bite Injury in South Carolina?
      • How Malpractice Can Cause Injuries in Newborns
    • August
      • South Carolina DUID Laws
      • Probation vs. Parole: What’s the Difference?
    • June
      • How An Arrest Can Affect Your Time in College
      • I’ve Been Accused of Embezzlement. What Now?
    • May
      • Manslaughter: Penalties and Defenses
      • What Is the Difference Between Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter?
    • April
      • Should You Choose Mediation for Your Divorce?
      • How Can a Pre-Trial Intervention Help You?
    • March
      • Common Work-from-Home Injuries
      • What Justifies a Slip-and-Fall Claim?
    • February
      • What If I Violate My Probation in SC?
      • Can Child Support Orders Be Modified?
    • January
      • Are Juvenile DUIs Handled Differently?
      • The Importance of Pre-Nuptial Agreements in SC
  • 2021
    • December
      • What Are South Carolina Drug Trafficking Laws?
      • Can I Be Fired for Filing Workers’ Comp in South Carolina?
    • November
      • How Paternity Can Affect Parents in a Same-Sex Marriage
      • How Could I Be Injured in an Office Environment?
    • October
      • The Coronavirus Pandemic and Work: What Are My Rights?
      • What Rules Do I Have to Follow on Parole?
    • September
      • Injured in a Car Accident While Vacationing in South Carolina?
      • The Future Impact of Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in South Carolina
    • August
      • Are You Liable if Someone Gets Hurt in Your Pool?
      • Is Resisting Arrest a Felony?
    • July
      • Can You Go to Jail for Giving Someone HIV?
      • Are Steroids Illegal to Use?
    • June
      • Common Issues in Same-Sex Divorces
      • Snake Bite Deaths & Wrongful Death Lawsuit
    • May
      • Tips for Navigating a High Conflict Divorce
      • Peloton Recalls All Treadmills Following 1 Death, 70+ Injuries
    • April
      • Giving False Information to a Police Officer
      • Effects of Divorce on Health Insurance
    • March
      • SC Lawmakers Propose Hate Crime Bill
      • Disagreements Between Co-Parents on COVID-19 Vaccine
    • February
      • What Could Happen If You Text and Drive?
      • What If a Protection Order Is Filed Against You?
    • January
      • What Does Consent Look Like?
      • Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way?
  • 2020
    • December
      • National Impaired Driving Prevention Month: What You Need to Know
      • Holiday Mail Fraud: Laws, Penalties & Defense
    • November
      • 6 Tips for Divorced Parents During the Holidays
      • Stimulus Check Scams During COVID-19
    • October
      • Felon Voting Rights in the US
      • Is Animal Cruelty a Crime?
    • September
      • What to Expect During Divorce Mediation
      • 5 Non-Physical Types of Domestic Violence
    • August
      • RECALL: Onions & Salmonella Newport Infections
      • 4 SC Child Passenger Laws You Must Learn
    • April
      • Social Security Numbers & Identity Theft
      • How Much is Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina?
    • March
      • What if Your Car is Totaled and You Still Owe Money on the Loan?
      • Does Adultery Impact Child Custody in South Carolina?
    • February
      • Are All Disabilities Covered by Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina?
      • Can I Travel Outside the U.S. with a Criminal Record?
    • January
      • Grocery Store Accidents in South Carolina
      • Reasons to Change Child Custody
  • 2019
    • December
      • Don’t Get a DUI Over the Holidays!
      • Workers’ Compensation: What if I Don’t Report My Injury?
    • November
      • What Rights Does an Unwed Father Have in South Carolina?
      • Can Bicyclists Be Liable for Traffic Accidents?
    • October
      • Workers’ Compensation: What If My Doctor Says I Can Do Easy Work?
      • Penalties for Marijuana Possession in South Carolina
    • September
      • Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I'm Unemployed in South Carolina?
      • Falling Merchandise Claims in Columbia, SC
    • August
      • How Do I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in South Carolina?
      • South Carolina’s Hazing Law
    • July
      • Wrongful Death Lawsuits in South Carolina
      • Establishing Paternity in Columbia, South Carolina
    • May
      • SC Workers' Compensation: Can I Choose My Doctor?
      • Can I Get Fired for a DUI in South Carolina?
    • April
      • Personal Injury Claims for Sexual Assault in South Carolina
      • FAQs About Child Support in South Carolina
    • March
      • Can I Collect Disability & Workers' Compensation?
      • Provisional Driver's License After DUI in South Carolina
    • February
      • Can I Get Workers' Compensation if I'm At-Fault?
      • Police Misconduct in a Criminal Case
    • January
      • Are Truckers Liable for the Accidents They Cause?
      • Does Child Support Come Out of SSI Benefits?
  • 2018
    • December
      • What is the Age of Consent in South Carolina?
      • Does Child Support Come Out of Workers' Compensation in South Carolina?
    • November
      • Construction Zone Accidents in Columbia, SC
      • License Suspensions for Failure to Pay Child Support
    • September
      • Teaching Kids to Prevent Dog Bites
    • August
      • Rights of Unwed Fathers in South Carolina
      • Are Federal Employees Eligible for Workers' Compensation?
      • Renting an Apartment? Your Background May Be Checked!
    • July
      • Is It Illegal To Wear A Headset While Driving?
      • Paternity Actions In South Carolina
    • June
      • Can a Teen File for Workers’ Compensation?
      • Is Legal Separation Right for Me?
    • May
      • What NOT To Do If You Are Arrested
      • What Determines Auto Insurance Rates?
      • How Social Media Can Hurt Your Personal Injury Case
      • Cheating Spouses Leave Behind Digital Trails
    • April
      • 4 Things to Do if You Violate Your Parole
      • Are Realtors Covered by Workers' Compensation?
      • Relocation in South Carolina: How Does It Work?
    • March
      • When Is Mediation a Good Option for Divorce?
      • Effects of an Order of Protection in South Carolina
      • How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in South Carolina?
      • Are Realtors Covered by Workers' Compensation?
    • February
      • Workers' Comp for Offsite Injuries in SC
      • Guide to Preparing an Affidavit
      • Bond Reductions in South Carolina
      • The Role of Intentional Torts in Personal Injury Cases
    • January
      • How Long Will a Juvenile Offense Stay on My Record?
      • Can I Sue for a Drunk Driving Accident?
      • How to Appeal a Denied Workers' Compensation Claim
      • Consequences of Not Paying Child Support in SC
  • 2017
    • December
      • Fake ID Laws in South Carolina
      • Wintertime Slip & Fall Accidents: Who's Responsible?
    • November
      • How to Combat Parental Alienation
      • How to Combat Parental Alienation
      • Are Military Divorces Handled Differently?
      • False Accusation of Sexual Assault: What Do I Do?
      • 3 Things You Didn't Know About White Collar Crimes
    • October
      • How to Overcome Bias in Your Motorcycle Accident Case
      • How Workers' Comp Affects Disability Benefits
    • September
      • How Truck Driver Fatigue is Contributing to More Accidents
      • Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding on Divorce
      • Are Inheritances Divided in Divorce?
    • August
      • Online Dating Profiles Can Be Used as Evidence in Divorce
      • Should I Sign a Prenuptial Agreement?
    • July
      • Child-Related Accidents Increase in the Summer
      • Do I Have to Pay Alimony if My Spouse Works?
    • June
      • How Divorce Affects Men & Women in Different Ways
      • Amputations in Workplace Accidents
      • Child Custody Tips for Fathers
      • Gray Divorce: Tips for Older Couples
      • Tips for Summer Vacation & Child Custody Plans
      • How Are Federal Crimes Different?
    • April
      • Beware of the Medical Authorization Release
      • Can Unemployment Be Taken for Child Support?
      • Is Your Spouse Hiding Assets? Here Are the Signs
      • Common Child Custody Issues Parents Face during Divorce
      • Will My Columbia, SC Workers' Comp Claim Be Denied?
      • Identity Theft Charges in Columbia, SC
    • March
      • How to Choose the Right Criminal Defense Attorney for Your Case
      • The Truth Behind Common Divorce Myths
    • February
      • About Bench Warrants
      • Can I Get Fired for Filing a Workers' Comp Claim?
    • January
      • What is Proper Courtroom Etiquette?
      • Will I Be Tried if I'm Arrested for a Crime?
      • Filing for Divorce in South Carolina
      • How to Prepare Children for Divorce
  • 2016
    • December
      • Filing a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit in Columbia, SC
      • Can I File a Workers' Comp Claim if I'm at Fault?
    • November
      • State vs. Federal Crimes, How are They Different?
      • What Rights Does an Unwed Father Have?
    • October
      • Social Media & Divorce: Be Careful What You Post!
      • Burglary is More Than Just a Theft Crime
      • South Carolina's Dog Bite Law
      • Occupational Diseases in Columbia, South Carolina
    • September
      • Legal Separation or Divorce: Which Is Right for Me?
      • Columbia's Pretrial Intervention Program
      • Financial Advice for Divorcing Spouses
    • August
      • South Carolina Workers' Compensation Denials
      • Should You Hire Your Own Criminal Defense Attorney?
      • How Do I Know I Have a Personal Injury Claim?
    • July
      • Establishing Paternity in South Carolina
      • Advantages of a Plea Bargain
    • June
      • Misdemeanor vs. Felony: Know the Differences
      • FAQs About Workers' Compensation in South Carolina
      • DUI & DMV Administrative Hearings
      • What Not to do After a Car Accident
    • May
      • Dividing Property in a South Carolina Divorce
      • State vs. Federal Crimes
    • April
      • How Workers' Compensation Affects SSDI
      • Why Most Personal Injury Claims Settle Out of Court
    • March
      • Hidden Consequences of a South Carolina DUI
      • The First Thing You Should Do After an Accident
      • Getting Your South Carolina Divorce Started
    • January
      • Pretrial Intervention: Can I Avoid Charges?
      • Are All Prenups Ironclad?
      • Duo Robs Jewelry Stores in the South
  • 2015
    • November
      • Can I Sue the City if I'm Injured in a Bicycle Accident?
      • SC Workers' Compensation FAQs
    • October
      • South Carolina's Domestic Violence Laws
      • How Remarriage Impacts Alimony in South Carolina
    • August
      • Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
    • July
      • Associated Press Survey Suggests Support for Same-Sex Marriages in Decline
      • 16 Dogs and 8 Puppies Rescued, Owner Arrested
      • How Long Can Workers' Compensation Benefits Last?
    • June
      • Does Adultery Affect Alimony in a South Carolina Divorce?
      • Causes of Truck Accidents
    • May
      • Marijuana Possession Penalties in South Carolina
      • Judge Allows Divorce Papers to be Served on Facebook
    • April
      • Am I Covered By Workers' Compensation?
      • Nine Are Arrested on Drugs Charges in Kershaw County, SC
      • Police Seek Truck Driver After Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident in Aiken County, SC
      • South Carolina Sees its First Same Sex Divorces
    • March
      • Three People from South Carolina Are Accused of Running Fake Employer Scheme
      • Can an Alcohol-Related Offense Affect College & Employment Opportunities?
      • Children are Vulnerable to Injuries from Lawnmowers
      • Drinking as a Minor? Here's Why You Might Want to Think Twice
      • Campaign to End Permanent Alimony Catches on with South Carolina Lawmakers
      • How Does a DUI Conviction Affect College Applications & Scholarships?
    • February
      • Prosecutors Claim Almost Half of DUI Cases Avoid Justice in South Carolina
      • Prosecutors Claim Almost Half of DUI Cases Avoid Justice in South Carolina
      • Should a Child be a Witness in a South Carolina Family Hearing?
      • Police Report Hit and Run on Columbia School Bus
    • January
      • Resources Fail to Keep Pace With Violent Crime in South Carolina
      • Challenging DUI Evidence
      • Celebrity Break Ups and Divorces in 2014
      • Slip and Fall Injury Cases in South Carolina
  • 2014
    • December
      • South Carolina Judge Exonerates 14-year-old Executed for Murder in 1944
      • DUI Penalties in South Carolina
      • Woman is Accused of Abducting Daughter from South Carolina 20 Years Ago
      • Juvenile Assault & Battery
      • Assistant Baseball Coach is Accused of Multiple DUIs After SC Crash Kills Three
      • Sentencing Hearing is Delayed for Teen Killer of Columbia Baker
      • Attorney Bob Masella to be Inducted into Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame
    • November
      • Possession of a Fake ID
      • South Carolina Governor is Accused of Not Doing Enough on Domestic Violence
      • Cooperation Agreement Turns Former Speaker Bobby Harrell into Government Informant
      • Exploding Airbags Are Linked to Four Deaths and Dozens of Injuries
    • October
      • Supreme Court Rules on Workers' Compensation Claim for S.C. Kickball Injury
      • Former Boyfriend Goes on Trial Over Killing of USC Professor
      • Former State Trooper is Charged with Felony over Columbia Traffic Stop Shooting
      • South Carolina Was One of the Last States to Ban Texting and Driving
    • September
      • Ex-Wife of South Carolina Rep. Mark Sanford Seeks To Limit Child Visitation
      • New Report Says 100 Students a Year are Killed in School Danger Zones
      • Eleven Lower Richland High School Students Are Arrested for Planning an Alleged Fight
      • Common Questions on Divorce
      • Grandparents Win New Visitation Rights in South Carolina
    • August
      • New Federal Rules are Intended to Improve Bus Safety
      • Suspended South Carolina Attorney is Linked to Alleged Healthcare Scam
      • Motorcyclists Claim South Carolina Police Ran Them Off the Road, Causing Injuries
    • July
      • Decision to Ban Public from Family Hearing Involving South Carolina State Rep. Causes Outcry
      • Ruling on Virginia's Same Sex Marriage Ban Undermines South Carolina's Ban
      • Supreme Court Tells Police to Get a Warrant Before Searching Cellphone Data
      • Pedestrian is Killed in Hit and Run Crash in Marlboro County, SC
      • Actors Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas to Divorce After 18 Years
    • June
      • South Carolina Businessman is Charged with Running an Illegal Gambling Business
      • Truck Carrying Human Waste Overturns at Fort Mill in South Carolina
      • Columbia Man is Charged With the Sexual Exploitation of Minors
      • Can the Bride-to-be Keep the Engagement Ring if a Marriage is Called off in South Carolina?
    • May
      • General Motors Faces Criticism Over Deadly Fault that Prevented Airbags Working
      • Postnuptial Agreements Become More Popular in Marriages
      • Anti-Sodomy Law Remains on the Statute Books in South Carolina a Decade After Being Invalidated by the Supreme Court
      • More Than 150 People Have Died in ATV Accidents in South Carolina Since 1982
    • April
      • Police Charge 15-Year-Old From Rock Hill Following Claims He Sent a Nude Picture of Himself
      • Women Serving in the Military Have Higher Divorce Rates
      • Unsecured Sofa from Truck on I-20 Caused Bus Crash that Injured USC Students
      • Key Decision Affecting Same Sex Marriage In South Carolina is Imminent
    • March
      • Man Receives the Death Penalty in South Carolina after Kidnapping and Murder Conviction
      • South Carolina Has the Fourth Longest Wait Time for Divorces in the Nation
      • Man is Charged With Felony DUI After Accident in Richland County Leaves 3-year-old On Ventilator
      • Patients and Staff Will Be Checked for Rabies After Bats Plague South Carolina Hospital
    • February
      • Domestic Violence is a "Crisis" in South Carolina Says Attorney General's Office
      • Government Agency Moves to Boost Child Safety in New Side Crash Tests on Seats
      • Sheriff Criticizes South Carolina's DUI Laws After Man Driving at 107 mph is Charged With Drunk Driving
    • January
      • South Carolina is Involved in Legal Dispute With IT Company over Fix for Failed Child Support System
      • How Intervention Programs Can Help USC Students who Risk Career Threatening Criminal Records
      • Freezing Conditions Call for Cold Weather Precautions on South Carolina Roads
      • Group Steps up Its Efforts to Reform Alimony in South Carolina with Columbia Conference
      • Use of Death Penalty is on the Decline Across the United States
  • 2013
    • December
      • New Study Finds South Carolina Has Fifth Highest Violent Crime Rate in the Nation
      • Study Ranks South Carolina Drivers as Second Worst in the Country
      • Legal Battle Between Adoptive Parents and Father of Girl Illustrates Complexity of Adoption
    • November
      • Government Targets Drunk Drivers and Those Not Wearing Seat Belts Through New Auto Technology
      • Will Obamacare Lead to a Flood of Divorces Because It Pays to be Single?
      • Federal Agency Targets Dangerous Practices by Teen Drivers
      • Same Sex Adoptions Are Not Prohibited But Can be a Challenge in South Carolina
      • Two Inmates Die in the Space of Six Weeks in Jail in Rock Hill
      • Jogger is Killed After Being Hit by Mirror of Passing Vehicle in Richland County
    • October
      • Financial Tips for Your Divorce
      • Improving Economy is Linked to a Rise in Divorces
    • September
      • Texting & Driving Accidents
      • Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim
    • August
      • Should You Plead or Go to Trial in your Criminal Case?
      • Identity Theft Crimes
    • May
      • Officer Receives Honor After Suffering Severe Head Trauma in On-Duty Accident
    • April
      • The Burden of Proof
    • February
      • Common Errors During the Divorce Process
    • January
      • Why Would the Court Modify an Order?
  • 2012
    • December
      • Learning More About the Masella Law Firm
      • Kardashian and Humphries Divorce Moving Forward After a Year
    • August
      • Welcome to our Columbia Law Blog
• Lexington SC Divorce Attorney Page
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Review Our Services